THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION ADVISES THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE PART RESTRICTION FOR THE ACCESSORY DC POWER CONTROL MODULE AND THE SEAL KIT HAS ENDED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 GMC Sierra electrical problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 10 electrical complaints filed for the 2013 GMC Sierra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with the additional steps that are needed to help perform a successful brake bleed on the 2-Mode Hybrid with Regular Production Option Code HP2. With a battery maintainer installed on the vehicle use brake pressure bleeder that maintains 30 psi for the entire bleed procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin provides a procedure to update your apple product to the latest software version to correct a condition of infotainment system will not return to media after bluetooth call ends
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CADILLAC/CHEVROLET/GMC: ON SOME VEHICLES AND/OR TRUCKS, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, INDICATING LOW OIL PRESSURE AND/OR SES LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE. MODEL 2007-13 CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON, CTS-V, ESCALADE, AVALANCHE, CAMARO SS, COLORADO, CORVETTE, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin provides repair information for repairing the IP to body harness connector to correct a customer concern for intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power displayed and DTC P2138 set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of this 2013 Sierra describe persistent electrical faults. The most repeated problem is window switch failure—one owner needed the master switch replaced three times, with all four windows eventually operating intermittently. The instrument cluster and radio won't dim at night, a condition GMC has acknowledged via service bulletin dating to 2007.
Steering wheel position sensor faults trigger StabiliTrak and traction control warnings on city streets. Interior lights cycle on and off without reason. Driver's side controls for windows, mirrors, and door locks work intermittently. Passenger headlights fail every 2–4 weeks. One owner reported a volt gauge stuck at 16–17 volts; the dealer couldn't replicate it.
More serious: one owner found wires chewed by rodents and claims GMC applies peanut oil coating to wiring, which he says the dealer acknowledged but refuses to address permanently. Another owner reported dashboard cracks near the passenger airbag, concerned they could compromise airbag function. In a separate severe rollover crash, airbags never deployed. One owner also noted a park assist light falsely illuminating during reverse with no reproducible cause.
Same GMC Sierra electrical reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Master Window Switch Failure
Driver's side master window switch failed multiple times (at least 2-3 replacements claimed). Later, all four windows began operating intermittently. Owner referenced recall 18V295 mentioning liquid leaking into power window switches on similar GM models.
When: Early ownership; first failure under warranty, second failure thereafter
Symptoms owners cite: Master window switch non-functional; All four windows operating intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: First replacement covered under warranty; owner states third replacement needed out of pocket
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty coverage for first replacement; GM recall 18V295 referenced by owner for liquid intrusion into power window switches on 2014-2017 Express/Savana models
Instrument Cluster and Radio Dimming Malfunction
Instrument cluster and radio would not dim in night mode. Owner states GM has a service bulletin on this condition dating back to 2007 model year. No permanent fix applied despite dealer visit.
When: Early ownership; approximately 150 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument cluster refuses to dim at night; Radio refuses to dim at night; Unable to turn lights off completely
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin issued; condition has existed since 2007 model year per owner report
Rodent Damage to Wiring — Peanut Oil Coating
Wires were chewed through by rodents/rabbits. Dealer identified peanut oil coating on factory wires and stated it acts as bait for animals. Dealer claimed no permanent fix exists because GMC uses peanut oil for cost reasons. Engine light illuminated due to chewed wires.
When: Within 4 months of ownership (September 2013 purchase); electrical failure discovered shortly after
Symptoms owners cite: Engine light on; Chewed wires discovered; Vehicle not running right
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer repaired wires temporarily but warned problem will recur
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer acknowledged peanut oil use but offered no permanent solution; stated issue known to exist on 2012 models as well
Steering Wheel Position Sensor Fault
Steering wheel position sensor failed, triggering StabiliTrak and traction control warning messages. Failure occurred consistently at specific location on city streets during normal driving.
When: Occurred repeatedly at same spot on city streets during commute
Symptoms owners cite: StabiliTrak warning message illuminated; Traction control message illuminated; Warning occurs during motion in same exact location
Codes mentioned: StabiliTrak/Traction Control warning
Alternator or Charging System Overvolting
Volt gauge consistently read between 16–17 volts when owner observed it. Dealer tested and reported readings of 14.4–14.7 volts (normal). Gauge still displayed high readings after leaving dealership, suggesting either a persistent overcharge condition or faulty volt gauge.
When: Encountered during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Volt gauge reads 16–17 volts continuously; Dealer unable to replicate or confirm condition
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to duplicate; owner contacted GMC customer service
Interior Electrical Gremlins
Multiple interior electrical faults: interior lights cycling on and off, driver's side door handle broke from normal wear, passenger headlight failing every 2 weeks to 1 month, driver's side controls (windows, mirrors, door locks) intermittently non-functional.
When: Occurred during ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Interior lights turning on and off; Passenger headlight repeatedly failing; Driver's door handle failure; Driver's side window control intermittent; Driver's side mirror control intermittent; Driver's side door lock control intermittent
Park Assist Light False Activation
Park assist light illuminated while reversing. Dealer unable to reproduce the fault during diagnostic testing.
When: At approximately 5,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Park assist light illuminates during reverse
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to duplicate; manufacturer notified
Dashboard Cracks with Airbag Concern
Dashboard cracked in multiple places, particularly upper left portion of passenger side airbag area. Owners expressed concern that cracks could affect airbag deployment reliability or allow dashboard material to dislodge into wiring, potentially causing airbag failure or engine stalling.
When: During ownership (exact timing not specified)
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple cracks visible on dashboard; Cracks specifically in upper left passenger airbag area
Airbag Non-Deployment During Crash
During a severe multi-rollover accident (5–6 flips after hitting culvert), neither airbag deployed. Vehicle caught fire briefly. Owner survived but was extracted by witnesses. No investigation results provided in narrative.
When: During accident event
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags failed to deploy during severe multi-rollover crash; Vehicle caught fire
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 GMC sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the contact heard a loud sloshing noise of fuel coming from the fuel tank. Immediately when the sound emitted a violent and forceful movement from the exterior rear of the vehicle occurred. The contact continued to drive. The vehicle was taken to an authorized…
Theres electrical problems going on, having interior lights go on and off, drivers door handle broke from normal wear and tear, passenger headlight keeps going out after about 2 weeks too a month, drivers side controls don't want to work all the time to try to roll up and down the windows, move both electrical mirrors, unlock the doors.
Had electrical trouble with your 2013 GMC Sierra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2013 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 12,700 and 75,000 miles, with the median around 35,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 12,700; a quarter make it past 75,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/GMC/Sierra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.